Waratahs v Reds Match Thread

[Groucho]

I think another key match-up is Fainga'a v Carter. And I do think it can - or should - impact on RWC hopes.

It would be good for Australian rugby if either of those can improve to test standard. Both have important weaknesses but they also have capabilities we don't get with other 12s.

 

[Groucho]

Greg Growden writes: 'Despite the high calibre of these two attacking teams, this is still expected to be a traditional dim, dour interstate affair.'

Pardon the Swahili, but what a cnut. :angryfire:

 

[spectator]

People keep mentioning the size of the Reds pack. Anyone know the actual pack weights? I wouldn't be surprised if the Tah's were slightly heavier.

 

[Bruce Ross]

can't wait for this, will be out at ANZ cheering on the Reds.

Hope they get to 50K, will be a new record and will justify them playing out at Homebush.

Nothing could justify playing rugby at ANZ Stadium. Don't forget to take your binoculars.

 

[TOCC]

i think we Higgers substituting in for Houston the NSW pack might be slightly heavier, helps to have a 125kg Sekope Kepu in the front row

 

[TOCC]

Nothing could justify playing rugby at ANZ Stadium. Don't forget to take your binoculars.

Sydney really needs a A-Class rectangular stadium


One of my favourites, Allianz Arena Germany, 64'700 capacity

 

[Lee Grant]

Hope they get to 50K, will be a new record and will justify them playing out at Homebush.

The Tahs have an obligation to play one pool game there per year; so they picked the game with the biggest likely return. Also if they qualify for any home game in a finals series they are obliged to play them there.

 

[spectator]

ANZ stadium is horrible as a viewing arena. Quite apart from the oppressive heat, It was good to be at Suncorp last week. Now that's a stadium!

 

[Ruggo]

I think Slipper will get the better of Kepu. I was hoping the Tahs would start Robinson as the battle between Robinson and Slipper would have been immense.

 

[fatprop]

I think another key match-up is Fainga'a v Carter. And I do think it can - or should - impact on RWC hopes.

Kafer had another crack at Carter last night whilst praising the Tahs

http://www.foxsports.com.au/Rugby/k...011730613?subcat=1225864525308&site=FoxSports

 

[Groucho]

Sydney really needs a A-Class rectangular stadium


One of my favourites, Allianz Arena Germany, 64'700 capacity

TOCC, why does SFS not qualify? Is it because of its smaller capacity?

 

[Ash]

The Reds' front row is not large. I think it's more the size of their backrow and locks people (like me) are thinking of when they say big Reds packs. But you may be right that the Tahs are of a similar size:
Simmons/Humphries - Mumm/Douglas
Horwill - Dennis
Higgenbottham - Mowen
Quirk - Waugh

 

[TOCC]

I agree Ash, i dont think people are talking necessarily about the size of the front row when they are talking about the pack, the reference was made to the height in the pack, Horwill, Humphries, Simmons, Higgers and Quirk are all 190cm plus and capable of jumping in the lineout. Not that it really helped last weekend against the Force.

TOCC, why does SFS not qualify? Is it because of its smaller capacity?

SFS is ok, but its getting on now, over 20years old, and any time there is a high profile match it needs to be moved to ANZ, at least with a rectangular stadium around 65-70'000 category, there would be viable alternative. You could offset the costs in lower capacity by the ability to charge more due to the overall better seating.

 

[Ash]

Groucho; probably. It holds about 40 - 45k? I thought there was plans a few years back to expand the SFS up to 55k -odd?

Suncorp is probably my favourite ground to watch a rectangular game at, of the places I have been to (including SFS, ANZ, Ballymore, Concord, Parramatta, etc). Supposedly Skilled Park on the Gold Coast is similar to a mini-Suncorp? Anyone know if that is true?

 

[Bullrush]

Kafer had another crack at Carter last night whilst praising the Tahs

http://www.foxsports.com.au/Rugby/k...011730613?subcat=1225864525308&site=FoxSports

Yeah, I saw this part of the show last night. I thought he was a bit tough on him to be honest. The clip he showed with Barnes on the outside was pretty 50/50. Barnes isn't a winger and he was covered anyway....I thought having a crack himself wasn't that bad of an option - it's what I would have done...hahahahaha!!!

 

[Set piece magic]

Skilled park is like suncorp yes, but only one tier so I'm guessing the atmosphere isn't as good. They should play a couple of wallabies games there along with melbourne - instead of ANZ stadium for samoa? ridiculous

 

[spectator]

Yeah, that's a fairly apt description of Skilled Park. I've only been there once but that was exactly what I thought.

With respect to the heights of the respective packs, apart from Waugh, the other NSW backrowers won't be giving too much away will they?

 

[DPK]

New thread? This is definitely a topic worth discussing but we're digressing a bit from this thread's topic.

 

[RugbyReg]

Mowen - 196cm/115kg
Waugh - 176/100
Dennis - 192/113
Douglas - 202/122
Mumm - 196/109
Baxter 190/116
TPN - 181/113
Kepu - 188/120
Ave = 190/113.5

Higgers = 195/110
Quirk = 191/106
Kev = 200/117
Van = 203/115
Simmons = 200/115
Slipper = 185/114
Fainga'a = 187/106
Daley = 184/112
Ave = 193/111.9

 

[DPK]

[video=youtube;-deM8SIs39Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-deM8SIs39Q&feature=feedu[/video]